Robert John Belford

These awards are based on the information below and per applicable DoD Directives and Awards Manuals:
Purple Heart Medal Awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Forces, after April 5, 1917, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may hereafter die of wounds received in action against an enemy of the United States.
American Campaign Service Medal Awarded for military service within the American Theater between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946.
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal Awarded for military service for service within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater between December 7, 1941 and November 8, 1945.
World War II Victory Medal Awarded for military service between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946, both dates inclusive.
 Note that this list may not include all awarded medals, devices, unit citations or qualification badges.

Documents, Forms and Resources Found or Not Found:
Yes Application For Headstone or Marker, OQMG Form 623
No  Eyewitness Statement or Report
Yes Grave Marker Photo(s), Find A Grave
No  National Archives Database, Enlistment Records
No Group, Squadron or Missing Air Crew Reports (MACRs)
Yes Photo of veteran, Find A Grave
No  Washington Newspaper Obit, Notice, or Report
Yes WWII Draft Card Data
No  WWII Hospital Admission Records

WWII Draft Card Data
Robert John Belford
Race, Gender: White Male  -  Age: 23
Birth Date: December 12, 1916  -  Birth Place: Dupont, Washington
Residence Place: Dupont, Pierce County, Washington
Registration Date: October 16, 1940  -  Registration Place: Washington State
Employer: E I Dupont deNemours And Company
Weight: 190, Height: 5' 9"
Complexion: Ruddy
Eye Color: Gray   -  Hair Color: Black
Next of Kin: Marguerite Burns Belford
Members of Household: Robert John Belford, Self
Marguerite Burns Belford, Mother

WWII Hospital Admission Records
 None Found

Note 1: The death location, "In France" is based on the best information available at this time. In the case of 2LT Belford, this location was estimated on:

A. His Application For Headstone or Marker, OQMG Form 623, identifies his assigned unit as the 430th Fighter Squadron, 474th Fighter Group.

B. At the time 2LT Belford was Killed In Action the 474th Fighter Group was conducting combat support operations in France on June 6, 1944.

C. Find A Grave Records indicate that 2LT Belford was shot down by small arms fire in France on June 6, 1944.

D. It is noted that there is a mis-match on 2LT Belfords unit of assignment. Grave marker states the 430th AAF Bomber Squadron. His photo on Find A Grave shows him with a P-38 Lightning fighter. More research may be required to resolve this mis-match.

E. Further information on the 430th Fighter Squadron and the 474th Fighter Group can be found at the American Air Museum In Britain sites 474th Fighter Group.

Anyone with additional information or a more specific location is welcomed and encouraged to submit an email to: ww2updates@withmilitaryhonors.com.

The following information on this casualty is sourced from The National Archives Database:
 Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938 - 1946 (Enlistment Records) - No records found

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